Sunday 20 November 2011

a quiet weekend

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I have had the most annoying time trying to do outfit shots all week. First, there's the early darkness, which I know everyone is dealing with. Then, there's the weather. It looks like it's always sunny in Barcelona here on my blog because that's when I take pictures, but actually it has been raining most days for at least three weeks, probably more like a month. Grrrr. Yesterday, I took my tripod into town, determined to get a backdrop that wasn't my terrace. It took me ages to find a quiet place with no people and immediately started raining. When it eventually stopped, my bangs had already dried into a Nike swoosh shape, and that was that. So, sorry, but today you're getting odds and ends of the weekend, and then I might take a blog holiday for a week.

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I realize I never introduced my new camera... this is it. A Nikon D3100, shown here with a 50mm lens (which is lovely but a bit of a pain due to the crop factor). I'm very happy with my camera,though I am most definitely still learning how to use it.

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I also got a remote recently, so now there are a lot of photos of me like this saying "why won't you focus, damn it?" I have to say though, personal style self-portraitists... a remote is possibly the best invention ever. So time-saving!

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Yesterday I made asparagus risotto. Mmmmmm

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Then went out with some friends to the amusingly named Sor Rita bar. Sor Rita means sister Rita (as in a nun) but Zorrita means little slut! I had to have this explained to me because I'm thick, but the bar is pretty funny. I'll have to get a photo of the portrait of the lewdly laughing nun next time!

Later in the evening I was trying to say "I liked them" (some people we'd met earlier) and accidentally said "They shit me." This is easier than you might think in Spanish. Mortification.

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Today I went for a walk and took some pictures of Barcelona...

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I really love photos of industrial cities... and Barcelona had a rich industrial heritage, so chimneys to my heart's content.

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And Fraggle contemplated suicide after we ran out of his favourite food... I also considered throwing him off the balcony as he would not shut up all day. Finally we compromised and I gave him some sandwich meat.

The end!

44 comments:

celia said...

I have to say I've become a fan of Fraggle, he's the cutest!

Also I feel the same way with rain/darkness and outfit shots, it's so annoying. And I think I said it before but I love the shirt in the first pic.

Virginie's Cinema said...

This post is gorgeous! Taking outfit pictures is definitely a challenge these days, I feel you... but your outfit looks super cute nonetheless! Posts like these are equally cool and beautiful :)

Does your camera have a two steps option for the remote connection? Helps with the focusing I find.

Hope you have a great week in Barcelona Emily!

Virginie ♥

Closet Fashionista said...

Hehe loving these photos! And I know what you mean about the rain...SO annoying! Luckily this weekend was nice, but sadly I didn't get dressed at all...XDXD
That new camera is awesomeness!! *drools*
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Rosalind said...

I need to take to the plunge on getting a remote, so I don't have to keep relying on getting a parent to wield my camera. Great backstreet architectural photo and glad to hear that Fraggle got something to eat!

Unknown said...

Man, I've been having ALL the same problems taking my own pictures lately. Mostly the getting the camera to focus on me instead of what's behind me problem. I too am thinking of investing in a remote.
Also, Fraggle seems like quite the cat character!

Annebeth said...

I love this silly post full of bits and bobs, especially the stuff about spanish :D you crack me up!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Virginie: Hmm, I feel like it should, but the instructions are all in Chinese as it's a third-party product. I need to spend some time with it for sure though!

Xavi said...

Para gustos, colores (spanish expression). Grey is also nice in Barcelona.
Don't let him suicide. Is such a nice cat...

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Xavi: Grey is lovely... rain, not so much!

Agnes Deer said...

So great to see Barcelona day after day. How well can you control a SLR camera from the remote? Because obviously with the timer, I can't take good pictures of myself :(

http://fromheretofashion.blogspot.com/

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@ Agnes: You can take good pictures with just the timer (see Rebecca of The Clothes Horse), the remote just means you don't have to run back and forth and push the button each time. Control is pretty good on the remote. I'm still having issues making it focus on me rather than the wall, say, but I think I need to spend more time figuring out how it all works. But seriously, from a time-saving point of view, it's amazing. Pre-remote, each photo shoot took at least twenty minutes of taking photos alone. Now, I can sometimes do it in five. : )

Raquel said...

Ha, guess I'll be having those problems on how actually work around a dslr when I get one (thinking after Christmas!) and the one on top of my list right now is yours hehe, I still am not completely sure, do you recommend?
These pictures are so nice, especially the one with the chimneys, I really want to check out Battersea power station and maybe take some pictures with a disposable camera.

Here has been not rainy at all, it's been dark and some days foggy but today I enjoyed a glorious sun around noon! ;)

PS: Miss your risotto, didn't try to recreate it yet!

Monique said...

i love when you share photos of barcelona...it's been pretty tough for me to post outfits as well. right now only mornings work for us and i'm not a morning person. enjoy your week and glad things worked out with dear fraggle

Unknown said...

I love the remote! It is totally a time saver and makes taking photos so much easier! You look adorable! Sorry to hear about all the rain and such... and the early darkness is bugging me a bit too!

The Semi Sweet said...

I like this post:) And that bar sounds like a fun place! Lewd nuns? Hilarious.

Anonymous said...

Oh we are Nikon D3100 twins! just like you still figuring it out but so in love with it! Hope the weather allows you to take pics soon, kisses!

Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

Elanor said...

lovely, cute collection of photos. i love the comment about the kitty... heheh.

the city photos are wonderful! i'd love to visit barcelona. xx

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

Don't do it, Fraggle!

Arielle-HumblePieVintage said...

I was thinking about getting a remote, I bet it'd be helpful. On the other hand, my cat looks just like yours. Check it out. It's weird.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/humblepievintage/6373590863/in/photostream

-Arielle
www.humblepievintage.com

Kirstin said...

A remote is really the best thing ever! It saves so much time! I love your collection of photos, nice to see into your life. Barcelona looks so beautiful!

out of order said...

love the photos and the kitty kitty! I'm jealous of your new camera ;)

<3Meghan

Zane said...

I really like the photos, esp the fist one

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

Love the yellow sweater :) All the rain sounds annoying! I can only get outfit photos at the weekend, I don't even try during the week. Oh dear, were you trying to say caer bien? I often have frustrating moments speaking Spanish and sometimes just say nothing to avoid such mishaps. xx

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Rachel: Yup. Me cayeron bien became me cagaron bien. I totally know the difference too... it just slipped out!

Jul said...

Yeah, the weather's been so annoying here too, plus the early darkness...wah, it makes me crazy!
Lovely post though, I enjoyed it! The word pun in that bar's name is funny and Fraggle's so cute! Don't let him jump :)

Shybiker said...

I have the same camera! And a remote. Can't believe I used to run back-and-forth with the self-timer.

You look lovely in these pictures.

Ashley said...

I didn't even know cameras had remotes :) haha, that's nifty! Love the sots of Barcelona...

My M.A. is in Human Behavior. And I suppose it is random. But I need something random to break up the monotony of my life right now!

sweet harvest moon said...

Cute cat! My cat also always begs for food ;p

Anonymous said...

I love your writing! I can almost hear you saying all of this, and I love it when bloggers write like that!!

The D3100 is actually the camera I contemplated getting. I think I've decided on a Canon T3 Rebel, though - but I'm excited to see more of your pictures!

Monsterchen said...

oh what a nice blog you have!! i love the pictures as barcelona is the city of my heart i will be your new follower;)
love and kiss,mary

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@smalltownbigwardrobe: Yeah, my decision was between those two finally as well... I figure for my level of expertise, probably any of them would've been fine, but in general the D3100 got better reviews/does better videos. I'm sure they're both great though (and other, lesser cameras too) for our purposes!

Unknown said...

Looks like you found your perfect day to take pictures. Looks beautiful.

xo,
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

EmilyCinnamon said...

Wow, Barcelona looks beautiful! I love your blog, I just stopped by after you posted your lovely comment on my blog. Thank you so much for commenting by the way, it made my day! And my header picture was one I actually took when I was in Costa Rica:) <3

Cara said...

What an awesome looking weekend, full of quiet time and wandering around a beautiful city. We have the same camera, I'm curious what remote you use as I want to get one myself.

This is a lovely blog, and your header is so cute. Thank you for visiting, I will be back here soon!

Marie said...

I've compromised with lunch meat too!Great minds you know. I am glad Fraggle will live to blog another day.

Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
I'm having a giveaway...

Laura said...

I know what you mean about bangs drying in a Nike swoosh - the perfect description, and one of the only things that's holding me back from getting bangs again...anyway, I think I've just fallen in love with your blog!

I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone on the colors vs. neutrals thing. I am often attracted to pretty neutral-colored dresses, but then they often sit in my closet, unworn...it's quite sad, really!

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

You crack me up! First, I hope you did in fact "like life" more this weekend and second, I can just imagine you saying that in Spanish & how hilarious it must have been. 3- I LOVE the name of that bar & don't worry, i didnt get it until you literally spelled it out. Love the pic of the tall buildings & narrow alleyway. I had no idea it rained so much in Barcelona!

Amrit said...

Sometimes it is good to have a slow weekend. :)))

How have you been Emily?

caitlin said...

i love this post! i always like to see the world surrounding my favorite bloggers :)

Sasha said...

So glad that you commented on my blog, so I could discover yours. :) Yay for new camera!

Enara Girl said...

Great pictures of Barcelona, I have to go.
Kiss

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Your asparagus risotto looks delish. I might have to try my hand at making some soon! My grandmother and I have asparagus for dinner fairly regularly, though we steam it and eat it on top of toast drenched in butter ;)

As for your mortifying Spanish flub, that's one way to learn the language! ;)

Courtney said...

i am in love with spain. i lived there for a year and go back whenever i can. one of my old roommates now teaches art at a prison in barcelona.

The Blossom Shed said...

Oh Barca alleys are my favorite places in the world! I dream of living there with my cat one day, with a warm rooftop for us both to sunbathe on! Lovely blog, glad I found you:)

The Blossom Shed